Lyophilization is a method of evaporating water from a biological sample while preserving its composition and function. In red blood cell freeze-drying preservation, freeze-drying technology can preserve the morphology and function of red blood cells as well as the integrity of cell membranes, and extend the storage time of red blood cells.
The application of laboratory lyophilizer in erythrocyte lyophilization preservation can be illustrated by the following aspects:
Erythrocytes are easily oxidized and deteriorated, and many important components in them cannot be stored for a long time. Therefore, in order to maintain the integrity and function of red blood cells, the application of lyophilization technology is very important. Through lyophilization technology, we can vaporize the water in red blood cells, thus preventing their rapid oxidation and contamination while preserving their functions and characteristics.
A lyophilizer is a specialized device for freeze-drying biological samples. The principle of operation is that the biological sample is placed in a depressurized environment, and then the sample is heated to below freezing point so that its water molecules escape. The escaped water molecules are expelled through the depressurization, while the other components of the sample are frozen, obtaining a lyophilized state.
The main features of the lyophilizer are precise temperature control and pressure control, which can automatically complete the freeze-drying according to the set program, and also can monitor the state of the freeze-dried sample in time.
1. Protect the integrity of red blood cell membrane
The erythrocyte membrane contains many structured and biologically active molecules, such as lipids, proteins and sugars, and the combination of these molecules in erythrocytes forms the erythrocyte membrane, which protects the inside of the erythrocyte from the influence of the external environment and substances. In erythrocyte freeze-drying preservation, freeze-drying technology can maintain the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane, thus better protecting the cell structure and function.
2. Extend the storage time of red blood cells
Red blood cells can only be stored for about 3 days at room temperature and 7-8 weeks at low temperature, but if freeze-drying technology is used to preserve red blood cells, their storage time can be extended to 3-5 years. For certain tissues or samples that need to be stored for a long time, freeze-drying technology can well preserve their characteristics and functions.
3. Convenient for transportation
In the past, when performing blood transportation, blood banks would choose to put the blood into freezers, thus cooling down the temperature for preservation. Although cryopreservation can prolong the storage time of blood, the volume and weight of the freezer is too large, so it is very difficult to transport blood. Freeze-drying technology solves this problem because it allows red blood cells that would otherwise need to be stored in a container to be drastically reduced in size through freeze-drying, thus facilitating transportation.
4. Maintaining cell morphology
Red blood cells are a kind of distinct and complex cells, if they are subjected to external pressure or vibration when being stored, they may be broken and lose their original form. Freeze-drying technology allows the cells to maintain their morphology throughout the process without being crushed or damaged.
The application of freeze-drying technology in the lyophilization and preservation of erythrocytes is effective in preserving the morphology, function, and specific properties of the cells, thereby extending their storage time and facilitating their transportation. This technique has a wide range of applications in the fields of medicine, biochemistry and pharmaceuticals.
